A Current Review of Biologic Meshes in Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

It is well accepted that the use of mesh has facilitated and improved outcomes following repair of the complex abdominal hernias. Current mesh options include biologic, synthetic, and resorbable materials. The use of biologic materials for the repair and reinforcement of abdominal wall hernia has generated significant discussion. There are a variety of biologic mesh materials that are currently available that are derived from various sources including human, porcine, or bovine. All are processed for heterogeneous use, include variable amounts of collagen and elastin, and may or may not be crosslinked. The mechanism of action for biologic mesh is the incorporation, revascularization, and recellularization into the surrounding soft tissue. The presumed benefit is that the added soft-tissue support will reduce the incidence of surgical-site occurrences including recurrence. This article will review the salient studies that have incorporated biologic materials for the repair of complex abdominal hernia.